Mamelodi Sundowns have rejected an improved bid from Ahly to sign Uruguayan forward Gaston Sirino, South African football website KickOff reported on Wednesday.

The Egyptian and African champions had an initial $1 million offer rejected by Sundowns before upping their bid to $2.25 million. Their latest offer was also turned down by the South African club, which will only do business for around $6 million, KickOff added.

Sundowns' general manager Yogesh Singh told an Egyptian website that Ahly should be able to meet his club's asking price, given their desperation to sign a world-class foreigner.

"Whoever wants to sign Messi has to pay a lot of money and not say that there is a limit to the offer, and the same is true for Sirino," Singh told Yallakora.com.

Ahly's officials have made no secret of their desire to land the 29-year-old, having already offloaded Senegalese striker Aliou Badji after he failed to impress. Angolan winger Geraldo could also leave the club.

Despite winning the domestic league the Champions League, Ahly were still criticised for their lack of firepower upfront, with main striker Marwan Mohsen guilty of squandering numerous easy chances last season.

Ahly's South African coach Pitso Mosimane is a big fan of Sirino, who he managed at Sundowns in a fruitful spell for the team.

Last season, Sirino scored 13 goals and provided 10 assists in 41 games in all competitions as Sundowns won the domestic treble.

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